Controlling doors using interface technology with steps
OwnerJeanelle Daoinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments are directed to a step pad door lock system that processes the rhythm, pressure, and/or sequence of a user's steps on a pad. The step pad door lock system locks and unlocks doors based on the rhythm, pressure, and/or sequence of steps. If the rhythm, pressure, and/or sequence is the same as a user-defined predetermined rhythm, pressure, and/or sequence (acting as the password), the door unlocks.
Claims18
An apparatus configured to lock or unlock doors by detecting a pattern of steps, comprising:
- a step pad;
- a waterproof casing around an entirety of the step pad;
- a step pad sensor configured to detect steps on one or more regions of the step pad;
- a step pad transmitter configured to send a signal from said step pad sensor responsive to detection of the pattern of steps, wherein the signal is based on the pattern of steps;
- a deadbolt microcontroller configured to receive said signal from said step pad transmitter;
- a deadbolt transmitter configured to send a signal from said step pad to the deadbolt microcontroller;
- a deadbolt motor configured to receive a lock/unlock signal from said deadbolt microcontroller;
- and
- a deadbolt that at least one of locks or unlocks under control of said deadbolt motor.
An apparatus configured to lock or unlock doors by detecting a pattern of steps, comprising:
- a step pad, wherein the step pad is composed of a completely sealed enclosure made of a thin and flexible material;
- a step pad sensor configured to detect steps on one or more regions of the step pad;
- a step pad transmitter configured to send a signal from said step pad sensor responsive to detection of the pattern of steps, wherein the signal is based on the pattern of steps;
- a deadbolt microcontroller configured to receive said signal from said step pad transmitter;
- a deadbolt transmitter configured to send a signal from said step pad to the deadbolt microcontroller;
- a deadbolt motor configured to receive a lock/unlock signal from said deadbolt microcontroller;
- and
- a deadbolt that at least one of locks or unlocks under control of said deadbolt motor.
A method for locking and unlock doors using a mat-based lock system by detecting a pattern of steps, comprising:
- receiving a sequence of signals from a pressure-sensitive step pad, each signal of the sequence of signals representing a step on said pressure-sensitive step pad;
- measuring a length of time each signal is active and storing as a sequence of step event lengths;
- comparing said sequence of step event lengths to a stored password sequence of durations via a step pad microprocessor;
- responsive to determining that the sequence of step event lengths matches a stored password sequence within one or more predetermined time leeways, transmitting a lock or unlock signal from the step pad microprocessor to a deadbolt receiver, which causes a deadbolt to lock or unlock;
- and
- entering a sleep mode responsive to lack of an input for a threshold amount of time, wherein power consumption of the mat-based lock system is reduced during the sleep mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.